Fears ofanother nuclear test by N Korea

Fears ofanother nuclear test by N Korea
By Anna Fifield in Seoul and Richard McGregor in Beijing
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2006
Published: October 18 2006 03:00 | Last updated: October 18 2006 03:00



The South Korean government yesterday said it had detected activity suggesting that North Korea might be preparing to conduct a second nuclear test, as concerns mounted that Kim Jong-il's regime might again defy international pressure.

Amid a flurry of diplomatic meetings - and reports that China has begun taking tough action against its errant neighbour - North Korea issued another statement calling United Nations sanctions imposed following last week's nuclear test a "declaration of war".

"The DPRK vehemently denounces the resolution, a product of the US hostile policy toward the DPRK, and totally refutes it," the North Korean foreign ministry said, referring to the country by the initials of its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Pyongyang said it would "closely follow the future US attitude" and warned: "The US would be well advised not to miscalculate the DPRK." Even a few months ago such threats would probably have been dismissed as more sabre-rattling, but these statements are now being taken more seriously following its decision to go ahead with missile and nuclear tests.

US television networks reported overnight that US spy satellites had detected "suspicious vehicle movements" that could signal preparations for another test.

A senior South Korean government official confirmed that there were signs of unusual activity near the site of the first test in northern North Korea. "We are keeping a close eye on that place," he said.

China said it was "resolutely opposed" to a second test, with Liu Jianchao, foreign ministry spokesman, saying Beijing hoped North Korea would adopt "a responsible attitude and come back to resolving the issue through dialogue and consultation".

Fears of a second test have been stoked by the arrival of Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, in north-east Asia for discussions on how to deal with the crisis. The first test was conducted as Shinzo Abe, Japan's prime minister, arrived in Seoul last Monday. China and South Korea are considered unlikely to squeeze the North too hard for fear of causing a collapse.